To celebrate the end of the day of one of my birthdays in an appropriate manner I decide to make myself comfortable on my terrace and enjoy a wee dram. A special one, of course.
The choice is not easy but I end up selecting a single malt Caol Ila 15yo (Lloyd’s Whisky Syndicate No.8). I know I’m on safe ground. I remember very well when I was first introduced to this distillery’s whiskies in a little but refined restaurant in Rome sometime in the mid 80s and they have been among my favourites ever since.
The late summer evening is balmy and I pour myself a dram that, I have to admit, probably stretches the definition of wee. I love the lightly smoky scent. Since the alcoholic strength is considerable I add a few drops of water and I start to sip. I can discern peat, flavours of aromatic herbs and, I think, fruits. But what never ceases to surprise me with Caol Ila whiskies is the finish: I define it as “silky”. And this 15yo is no exception.
The paradox of this great single malt is that I can enjoy it by scanning its every characteristic or simply appreciating it in it’s entirety. It depends on the circumstances and on my mood: either way satisfaction is always guaranteed.